Maria Duque-Tunjano’s body was found at the end of January (Picture: Scotland Yard)

A manhunt has been launched after one London sex worker was killed and another attacked.

Police are searching for Robert Richard Fraser, also known as Robert Aleem and Shia Robert Jackson, after the two incidents, which have been linked.

He is wanted in connection with the murder of Colombian-born British national Maria Duque-Tunjano, whose body was found at an address in Earls Court Square, south-west London, on Friday January 31.

Detectives believe the body of the 48-year-old, who lived in Streatham, had been there for several days, while a post-mortem found she died from blunt trauma to the head.

‘Enquiries have established that Maria was a sex worker who used the flat in Earls Court Square for her work. It is believed she was robbed of a quantity of cash during the assault,’ Scotland Yard said.

Robert Richard Fraser, also known as Robert Aleem and Shia Robert Jackson, is wanted by police (Picture: Scotland Yard)

The murder has now been linked to another attack on female sex worker at an address in Paddington on January 18 that saw a woman in her 20s assaulted and robbed but not seriously injured.

‘We have established that Maria was last seen alive on Tuesday January 28. We also understand she was in the company of a man and our primary focus is to trace him as part of this investigation,’ said Detective Chief Inspector Nicola Wall.

‘It is now our belief that this man was also responsible for an attack on another female sex worker in Paddington. It is imperative that we trace him as soon as possible.’

DCI Wall added: ‘We have spoken to organisations with links to those who work in the sex industry to make them aware of this incident and pass on the message that personal safety of sex workers is of paramount importance.’

Anyone with any information is asked to contact the incident room on 020 8785 8244 or to ring Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.